Haakenson stressed that the six unidentified bodies could be people who are on the list of the missing (PDF), which authorities released publicly in the hope that some of them are alive and will step forward.

Haakenson said authorities waited to release the identity of the missing because "to have released a list earlier of 90 to 100 names would have been irresponsible."

Kerrie Stevens, director of Monday's search operations, said that while "one bright spot is the weather has improved," access to the scene remained difficult "due to mud and debris being 70 feet deep" over an area of 640 acres.